Chapter 474: Sore Loser
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Yuan Hongjun turned back, “I’m going to Guangxi Garden to find my master.” “Your master is at Guangxi Garden to enjoy the opera? Let’s go see it too.” Fan Yuru, intrigued by everything on her first trip away from the capital, found it all very fresh.
Yuan Hongjun was speechless.
Bao Linjiang was speechless.
Rong Shiyu, hearing the conversation, also came out, “I’ll go too.”
Yuan Hongjun explained, “My master is Chu Qingzhi, a young girl not even sixteen, full of youth and vitality, not some old man. Why do you always assume my master is elderly?”
Fan Yuru and Rong Shiyu were both taken aback.
Fan Yuru asked incredulously, “Your master is Chu Qingzhi? Really Chu Qingzhi?”
Yuan Hongjun stepped back, “Why are you reacting so strongly?”
“Don’t worry about it. Let’s go. It’s more important to find Qingzhi.” Fan Yuru and Rong Shiyu held hands and walked out excitedly.
Yuan Hongjun and Bao Linjiang looked at each other. Weren’t these two women enemies? What was going on now?
By this time, it was getting late. After receiving the letter, Chu Qingzhi had already arranged a welcome banquet at Shopkeeper Qian’s place. She now stood at the entrance waiting for her two disciples.
“Qingzhi!” Fan Yuru and Rong Shiyu waved at Chu Qingzhi, their faces beaming with smiles.
Chu Qingzhi was a little surprised that the two women had come together. She smiled and waved at the two of them. At the same time, she walked towards them. “Welcome.”
Fan Yuru held Chu Qingzhi’s hand and said in surprise, “I didn’t expect you to organize the food festival. It’s such a big event; even in the capital, everyone’s talking about it.”
The publicity was not in vain. Chu Qingzhi smiled, “So, you came especially for the food festival?”
Fan Yuru nodded emphatically, “Yes, with such grand publicity, how could we not come and see?”
After their conversation, Yuan Hongjun and Bao Linjiang finally had the chance to greet their master, “Master.”
Chu Qingzhi expressed her concern, “You must be tired from the journey.” Then she praised them, “Your idea of the medical volunteer team is good. I hope you can seize this opportunity.”
Catching the hint, Yuan Hongjun and Bao Linjiang somewhat sheepishly lowered their heads, “Master, we’ll do our best.”
The girl that their master thought highly of was definitely good. They would work hard to get her.
Rong Shiyu looked at the two and laughed, “We’re sisters with Qingzhi, and you are her disciples. That makes us a generation apart.”
Both of them were speechless.
Chu Qingzhi, seeing her disciples’ stunned expressions, intervened, “I’ve booked a banquet. Let’s go eat.”
“Ok.”
Everyone else had already left, leaving only Tang Jinghong with Chu Qingzhi. They headed to the restaurant, coincidentally meeting Tang Jinghong coming to find them.
Fan Yuru greeted Tang Jinghong respectfully, “Brother Tang.”
Rong Shiyu bowed, “General Tang.”
Tang Jinghong nodded to both, “Let’s go upstairs. The dishes are already served. Let’s eat first.”
“Okay.”
After dinner, everyone returned to the residence to rest, deciding to discuss matters the next day. Chu Qingzhi and Tang Jinghong went back to the Chu village.
The road from the village to the county, after two days of repairs, was already half completed.
The repaired half was paved with bluestone slabs, flat and even. Walking on it felt much easier.
Tang Jinghong commented, “If we could march on roads like this, we’d be twice as fast.”
Chu Qingzhi glanced at Tang Jinghong, “You could suggest to the emperor to have all the main roads in Dalin repaired like this.”
Tang Jinghong shook his head, “That would empty the treasury.”
Chu Qingzhi said, “That’s true.”
Tang Jinghong smiled, “Only you would dare to have this bold idea.”
They chatted as they walked into the village.
The sky was darkening, and lanterns lit up in the village, casting a warm, orange glow and creating a serene atmosphere.
Tang Jinghong had planted begonias all over his yard. Inside, Chu Xuyao’s voice was heard, “I think you’re cheating!”
Chu Xuyuan defended Chu Xuyao. “Third Brother Lu, are you a sore loser?”
Wu Yaqing mocked, “Your character is too bad. Even when playing with children you resort to tricks.”
Third Master Lu, despite being ganged up on, remained calm, “I lost, so what? Haven’t you heard, all’s fair in love and war? You’re the sore losers!”
Chu Xuyao protested, “But you clearly moved the chess piece when we weren’t looking. That’s not strategy, that’s cheating!”
Third Master Lu pointedly asked, “Why didn’t you say anything when I moved it?”
Chu Xuyao was at a loss for words.
Everyone was speechless.
Wu Yaqing, frustrated, said, “Let’s pack up the chess set. No more playing with him. It’s no fun!”
The three quickly gathered the chess set and left, coming out to see Tang Jinghong and Chu Qingzhi standing at the entrance, having listened for a while.
Wu Yaqing, still a bit upset, took Chu Qingzhi’s hand, “Qingzhi, let’s go back.”
Chu Qingzhi waved to Tang Jinghong, “We’re leaving.”
“Alright.” Tang Jinghong watched them go, then entered Third Master Lu’s room, “What were you doing just now?”
Third Master Lu was still sitting by the table, “I just played a little trick during the game, but Chu Xuyao caught me.”
Tang Jinghong poured tea for both, “Don’t underestimate Xuyao. He’s very perceptive.”
“I noticed.” Third Master Lu drank his tea and set down the cup, his voice growing heavier, “My wounds are mostly healed.”
Tang Jinghong asked, “What are you planning to do?”
Third Master Lu, filled with killing intent, said, “Go back and kill him. Otherwise, I’ll never get this resentment out of my heart.”
Tang Jinghong’s fingers circled the teacup rim, “I’m worried he might set a trap for you.” He paused, “Does he have any weaknesses?”
“Let me think.”
“I’m not against you seeking revenge, but it must be done the right way. Otherwise, it’s a waste of life.”
Tang Jinghong patted Tang Jinghong’s shoulder, a rare smile on his stern face, like the first melting snow in spring, “I’ll be careful.”
Upon returning, Chu Qingzhi saw all the women of the family gathered in the main hall, “Mother, what are you all doing?”
Everyone was waiting in the hall, eager to learn how to make apple pies, but Li Qingyu, noticing the tired look on Chu Qingzhi’s face, said, “We were just discussing some household matters.”
She walked over and gently pushed Chu Qingzhi upstairs, “Go get your clothes, and I’ll prepare a bath for you.”
Chu Qingzhi held Li Qingyu’s hand, “Mother, there’s no need, I can do it myself.”
Li Qingyu turned back, tidying Chu Qingzhi’s hair, “Be good, go get your clothes.”
Listening to Li Qingyu’s gentle words, Chu Qingzhi no longer insisted and nodded, “Okay.”
After Chu Qingzhi went upstairs, she quickly came back down, handing Shen Ruyue a piece of paper, “I don’t have time to teach you how to make apple pies right now, but I’ve written down the process. You can try it out.”
Shen Ruyue looked at the paper in her hands and praised, “You always think everything through so thoroughly.”
Chu Qingzhi responded, “Give it a try, and if there are any issues, we can discuss them later.”
Shen Ruyue nodded..
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